Dallas Symphony announces its second Women in Classical Music Symposium

The November event will address challenges and successes of female composers, performers and administrators.

Violinist Hilary Hahn, seen here performing Dvorak's Concerto in A Minor for Violin and Orchestra with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, on Sept. 21, 2017 in Dallas, will receive the Award of Excellence at the second Women in Classical Music Symposium.(Ashley Landis / Staff Photographer)

In its ongoing efforts to advance the careers of women in classical music, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra has announced the program and dates for the second Women in Classical Music Symposium.

The symposium, scheduled for Nov. 8-11, will include talks and panel discussions on challenges and successes of female composers, performers and administrators. Prominent figures in the industry will discuss topics including “Breaking Barriers — Women in Classical Music,” “Motherhood and Music — Women as Caregivers” and “Music and Wellness.”

A speed-dating-style session with potential mentors will allow attendees to expand their networks as well.

“The first symposium was a great success, we all learned so much and we look forward to building on last year’s conference,” Kim Noltemy, president and chief executive of the DSO, said in a news release. “As we know, there is still much work to be done, and the DSO is committed to doing its part to pave a path to success for women in the industry.”

Hilary Hahn in concert with the DSO in 2017.(Ashley Landis / Staff Photographer)

During the symposium, the DSO will present an Award of Excellence to violinist Hilary Hahn, a Career Advancement Award to composer Katherine Balch and a Lifetime Achievement Award to Deborah Borda, president and CEO of the New York Philharmonic. Unlike last year, the event will not overlap with the Dallas Opera’s Hart Institute for Women Conductors, which is scheduled for Feb. 8-19, 2021.

Amid coronavirus concerns, the DSO also appears to be preparing for the possibility of an online symposium.

“While the current circumstances keep us from being together, we are working hard to prepare for this much-anticipated fall event and ensure our attendees have a great experience, whether that is in person or virtually,” Noltemy said.

The fee for the symposium is $90, with an increase to $150 on July 1. Financial assistance is available. For further information, visit mydso.com/symposium.

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Tim Diovanni, Staff Writer. Tim Diovanni is reporting on classical music in a fellowship supported in part by the Rubin Institute for Music Criticism, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation. The News makes all editorial decisions.